NEWSLETTER
That healthy start to Chicago Bears camp didn’t last long.
If you’ll recall back to Wednesday, we learned that outside linebacker Pernell McPhee would be starting out on the training camp PUP list, after reporting issues with his knee during physicals when he reported to camp. And now today, the team has announced that McPhee had surgery on his right knee.
Head coach John Fox attempted to downplay the surgery, calling it a “cleanup” procedure, though we should note that this is the second knee surgery for McPhee in the last two years. (Last offseason, McPhee had surgery on his left knee – a procedure that pushed his recovery time back so far he started the season on the PUP list and missed the first six games).
McPhee successfully shed some weight this offseason, as he tried to lessen the stress and pressure he put on his knees, adding that the weight loss had him feeling sexier. An optimistic McPhee participated in OTAs and expressed his optimism for the 2017 season, saying the team’s defense and pass rushers were ready to bring the pain and dominate. And while the Bears still have healthy edge rushers in Leonard Floyd and Willie Young, McPhee is expected to be a key cog for a Bears defense that has top-10 potential.
The Bears signed McPhee to a five-year deal with $16 million in guarantees back in 2015. He played 14 games that season, turned in seven sacks and posted an 86.7 grade over at Pro Football Focus. But after missing the first six games of the 2016 season, McPhee collected just four sacks as he appeared in just nine games and played 273 snaps.
